NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – With both teams down to 10 players each, the Niagara men's soccer team took down Northern Kentucky, 2-1, in double overtime at Niagara Field on Friday night. The Purple Eagles clawed their way back from an early 1-0 deficit to earn their first win of the 2019 season.
Match Moments
- 12' - Trailing 1-0, Niagara fended off a pair of consecutive corner kicks by the Norse. The second attempt, from goalkeeper Nick Burke's right, was crossed in but headed over the bar thanks to tight defensive play.
- 14' - Jayson Repine just missed an equalizing attempt over the Northern Kentucky crossbar.
- 23' - After a Niagara turnover just outside the 18, Jordan Acevedo recovered and slide tackled the ball away from the Norse, ending the opportunity for Northern Kentucky to take another shot.
- 37' - Mackenzie Roach needled his way around the defense and forced a low shot on net that was deflected out of bounds by the defense. On the ensuing corner kick, Federico Cugge corralled the ball and found the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
- 61' - After a deft first touch to tame a long pass down the flank, Luca Pacheco left a beauty of a ball for Luigi Boa Morte as he sprinted in on net. Unfortunately, the crossing feed missed and sailed out the other side of the box.
- 80' - Niagara earner a free kick after the Norse were whistled for two quick yellow cards, but the attempt was batted away and out of the zone before the Purple Eagles could take advantage of the chance.
- 84' - Pacheco nearly headed in the go-ahead chance but was denied when the defense desperately scrambled back to the goal line with the keeper well out of position.
- 86' - Rafael Freitas had a brilliant chance of his own in front but Northern Kentucky's goalie recovered just quickly enough to step in front of Freitas' shot before it found the net.
- 105' - Northern Kentucky found itself with a chance to score in double overtime, but Burke came across the goal mouth to swallow up the shot and give the Purple Eagles new life.
- 108' – The Purple Eagles earned a free kick in their offensive end with time winding down. The ball was served up and as Northern Kentucky's goalie charged off the line, Rodrigo Almeida got his head on the ball to loft it over the defense and into the yawning net for the winning strike.
Coach's Corner
- Head coach Bill Boyle: "I am very proud of this group. We were not fit enough in Michigan but we got to work all week and it paid off tonight. That was a very fun game to watch and everyone from our captains to to the bench gave it everything."
Up Next
- The Purple Eagles will head to Pittsburgh for a showdown at Duquesne on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Niagara and the Dukes will kick things off at 7 p.m.
